Computers, monitors, and televisions contain dangerous chemicals including lead and mercury. When disposed of, this electronic waste, or e-waste, can create a serious environmental hazard.

However, legislation considered in the House Fisheries, Ecology & Parks Committee Friday would begin to address the fast-growing problem of e-waste by holding manufacturers responsible for the environmentally sound collection, recycling and disposal of dangerous equipment.

E-waste is harming our environment, endangering public health, and costing taxpayers a great deal of money,said Rep. Mike Cooper (D-Edmonds), the prime sponsor of House Bill 1942. This legislation will address this problem by giving manufacturers an incentive to help consumers properly dispose of e-waste.

1.7 million computers, monitors, and laptop units were discarded or placed in storage in Washington state last year. Due to rapid advances in technology, that number is only expected to grow larger in coming years.

If disposed of improperly, the metals and other chemicals in discarded equipment can bleed into soil and waterways, endangering anyone who comes into contact with them. Some of the more common risks posed by e-waste include birth defects, infant mortality, tuberculosis, and blood diseases. Many landfills have stopped accepting these products because they continue to contaminate the air and soil from the leaching that occurs and the gases they emit.

Local governments have tried to address their e-waste problems, but their disposal efforts have come at a significant expense to taxpayers. Last year, Snohomish County financed a one-time clean-upof discarded electronics from local school districts resulting in the removal of 135 tons of materials at a cost of $55,000.

Advocates from local government and environmental protection groups testified in support of the legislation.

Sego Jackson, Principal Planner for the Snohomish County Solid Waste Management Division, urged legislators to act fast before the problem gets worse.

"We can't afford to wait," commented Jackson. Each year of delay results in increased problems and costs to citizens, businesses, charities and government, over 1.7 million units inadequately managed each year, and increased pressure on local and state funds to fix the problem.

Jim Puckett of the Basel Action Network, a collective of organizations advocating for the safe disposal of toxic wastes, cautioned how the lack of legislation to resolve this problem is resulting in the export of e-waste to developing countries with little to no environmental regulation.

"We're facing an avalanche of problematic waste," commented Puckett. States have to step forward to deal with this policy.

House Bill 1942 would:

• Require the manufacturers of electronic products to develop, finance, and implement a plan for the collection and recycling of 65 percent of the electronic waste generated each year by that manufacturer.
• Require electronic product manufacturers to submit annual reports to a stakeholder-composed advisory committee.
• Require the manufacturers of electronic products to phase out the use of certain chemicals · Require all electronic products sold in Washington to bear a clear label that indicates to consumers that the product contains hazardous materials.
• Require the state Department of General Administration to establish purchasing policies regarding electronic waste.